High expectations for SDSU, USD

As a member of San Diego State's first team to join the Pac-10 in men's soccer, red-shirt senior Jamel Wallace has seen the Aztecs exceed expectations in the league's preseason coaches poll each season.

Now, more than ever, the Aztecs are looking to do it again.

Although they have eight starters back from last year's third-place squad, the Aztecs were selected to finish fifth this season. Even more incongruent, the Aztecs say they're poised to win their first Pac-10 crown.

“We have high expectations for ourselves, and we know that we can do better than that (conference prediction),” said Wallace, a midfielder from Oceanside High. “So every game, we just come out with more energy and fire to get it done. Hopefully, this season, that will help us get to the top.”

The Aztecs, who lost their home opener to LMU 2-1, aren't alone in the local ranks when it comes to curiosity over what fellow conference coaches were thinking in their preseason balloting. The Toreros, meanwhile, opened their season with a 2-0 victory over visiting Cal State Northridge. And the Toreros, who believe their roster has improved since last season, are picked fifth after tying for second a year ago.

San Diego State and USD renew their intracity rivalry at 1 p.m. Sunday at SDSU's Sports Deck in their first meeting since 2005.

While the Aztecs finished two spots above their projected fifth place last year, their record (6-9-3, 3-4-3) didn't meet their expectations. So there's a sense of redemption this season for the returning cast, spearheaded by senior defender Nick Cardenas, a preseason All-America pick.

“We look very good to start off this year,” said the 6-foot-5 Cardenas. “We're all excited to get back after what we think was a disappointing season last year.”

As for ability, San Diego State coach Lev Kirshner calls this team the “most experienced, most athletic, most talented” in his 10 years directing the program. To transition from last season, the Aztecs went 7-0-2 in spring play with seven shutouts.

Wallace and fellow senior midfielder Evan Toft each joined Cardenas on the Pac-10 second team last season. Up front, an experienced group is led by junior Raymundo Reza, whose 20 points last season were the most for an Aztec since Aaron Susi had 21 in 1991.

Back in goal is red-shirt junior Brad Byrns, who has recovered from an elbow injury that cost him half of last season.

“This year, we have a lot more team cohesion,” Wallace said. “All the guys work well together, and we're friends.”

Also, there's a heralded freshman class led by midfielder Jose Altamirano (Southwest High). He follows in a line of top local recruits, including sophomore midfielder Joe Corona (Sweetwater).

“We know what people rank us,” Cardenas said. “It's one of those things where we feel people don't respect us even though we've finished third or better the last three years. It's all immaterial. We know that we're good.”